"They are all together trading their secrets and wealth around. Because once Corypheus found out there was a mage who could read ancient elvhan and was under his venatori's control. He took her, but I found her." Michela said softly.
"Where is she now?" Rubeus asked curiously.
"In peacevale, under the protection of my Templar friend Illia. She is blind, she can't speak and she was made tranquil. Her eyes were given to my mother. Her tongue to my father and her mind went to Corpypheous because she knew too much. So before you go thinking some vints are sweet and caring. Remember they let it happen, knew the whole time and just turned a blind eye. I and Dorian included. Unlike him, I didn't run away until after I helped."
"Tevinter, Orlais, no difference. I admit I've never been one to be close with anyone but my own, until now. The inquisition changed some of my opinions and strengthened others," Rubeus said with a stern tone. Michela stood up from her chair, she had been writing the whole time she was talking. She walked over to Rubeus and handed him a contract, signed by her and stamped.
A lengthy legal document Josephine would be impressed by stating the loyalty of Michela Di Pasqua and the Hateful Barnacle to the inquisition. Services and accommodations paid for by the generosity of Rubeus As per one box of chocolates.
"Really? Isn't that selling yourself and your skills short? We can offer you more," Rubeus was taken by surprise.
"A ridiculous notion, but sometimes not being dismissed of my wants and desires goes a lot further than empty gifts or promises. Dorian could be innocent of being blind to the issues at home, but he had plenty of time before now to grow a conscience. Have a good night Inquisitor."
"Goodnight Captain," he replied. Michela closed the door since Rubeus has already left. Standing by the door was Fritigern waiting patiently.
"How did it go?" He asked. The silence was deafening. Rubeus looked grim and distracted. "Hm… well your friends are below deck with the crew playing hide the drunk from the Captain. I've been instructed to show you where you're staying and to also tell you not to go into the Cargo bay. We have a rare creature on board who doesn't take kindly to strangers so stay clear."
"I doubt any of us will need to go to the cargo bay so that shouldn't be a problem," Rubeus replied.
Fritigern pointed to the end of the hall. "You see the door with the green handle. That's the navigators quarters which has been cleared out for your use. Across the hall from you in the Captain's Quarters. Knock only, don't try the handle it's poisoned. Oh, and the war room is strictly off-limits to anyone but the Captain."
"Also noted, thank you for the heads up. Anything else I should be made aware of at this time?" Rubeus did not mean to sound so dismissive, but the conversation with Michela was still fresh in his mind and it left him with a lot to digest.
"Whew hold on there are a lot of rules, ugh. Shit, what was the last one? Fuck I'll remember it later."
"You'll know where I am when you think of them…" Rubeus replied.
"Noted," Fritigern said with a smirk. Used to dealing with heavy situations as he stood tall. Upon closer inspection, his outfit was bedazzled with details of dragon bone and Silverite.
"Who's the lady with the short hair and shield?" Fritigern asked.
"Hmmm? Oh, Cassandra?" Rubeus inquired.
"Cassandra! She's gorgeous." Fritigern said with a dreamy stare towards the lantern. "Anyways, Cassandra is looking for you." He added before turning to walk away. Rubeus headed below deck to meet up with his friends and see what Cassandra wanted.
Below deck was a wild, but joyous hum of shipmates enjoying their evening off. Drinks were passed around, cards and coins lay on tables. Rubeus had to duck out of the way of a wayward dart that flew off of the target. A bard sang happy shanty accompanied by his squeezebox while others clapped and joined in. The heavy air and smell of damp wood filled his senses along with the scent of barrel-aged ale. He found Cassandra sitting on a barrel to the side watching the excitement around her. Rubeus approached and leaned against the wall next to her. He looked around at the excitement. Dorian stood off at the bar with a drink in his hand, looking under the weather.
"Fritigern said you were looking for me?" Rubeus asked.
"Yes, I was. I am concerned with how fast this is all progressing. I barely remember what happened during the card game and now we are here about to set sail into the open water. Am I the only one who finds this crazy?" Cassandra said in one long exasperated breath. Rubeus sighed.
"The magister gave us a deadline and we need to meet it," he explained. "I would have liked to meet the captain early in the month but this was the timeline she set and sadly, we are at her whim at this moment." Rubeus seemed just as exasperated as Cassandra. They both exchanged knowing looks of dread.
"Where's Varric gone?" he inquired.
"He has gone mad, for some reason his goal is to get as drunk as possible. I tied him up over…" Cassandra noticed the concerned look on Rubeus's face, and spun around to the chair behind her. "Where did he go!?" Cassandra said. Rubeus stood tall and peered around the room looking for any sign of him.
"As long as we can keep eyes on him, I'm sure things will be fine."
Varric had been playing tipsy, but his true goal was to dig deeper. Varric had found a game of wicked grace to stumble into.
"Anybody got another drink?" Varric announced himself. Spotting Rubeus finally back in the room chatting to Cassandra.
"Ye got a coin?" One of the three men asked.
"Ya, I got a Coin," Varric said and eyed them closely. A bald man with a goofy innocent smile, but a clef in his lip from a festered wound long healed over. A scrawny older fellow wearing baggy clothes tied on with rope. The last, the average dwarf in his twilight years.
Within minutes, Varric had loosened them up into talking about mead vs ale. Once the cards started up, they were chatting like they were monologuing. They talked over one another rudely, and it was difficult to make out one conversation from another. The cards flitting about adding a layer of chaos to the mix.
"Enough about me, tell me more about this ship! Is it Antivan? Or Trevene?" Varric asked, gesturing towards the wooden statues which decorated the room.
"Oi, those are mine." The dwarf at the table spoke, a dirty man with balding hair and a big frizzled beard.
"You made these yourself? Well, what inspired you?" Varric asked.
"Well, the ship was built in Antiva for The Captain's 18th birthday. A traditional warship to fight against the Qunari. I dunno, it's all some tripe about family traditions of ancient war fair or some bull shit about the Divine. I don't follow it. Well, I was the master-builder on this ship. Hired by Magister Di'Pasqua as you know. She told me what she wanted to do with this ship and I joined her crew. Made it to her liking and I have been maintaining it ever since." The dwarf said quickly.
"Andraste's tits can spill more dirt, Rawlins! We're supposed to be telling lies." The bald human to Varric's left complained.
"You're not that good at keeping secrets yourself," Varric said with a smirk. "Rawlins was it? What did she say that made you join her crew?" Varric asked.
"Now you see. I'm not gonna answer that one." Rawlins jested.
"Ah! You got to tell me." Varric joked back and shuffled the cards for another round.
"Go ahead." A soft feminine voice came from behind Varric's right shoulder, and quickly the smell of lavender, green tea and oranges filled the small space.
"Captain…" Rawlins paused and looked up at Michela who was leaning against the door frame.
"Don't mind me, I'm just about to take the night shift up above to get going. Hesiod, I need you on the mainsail tonight." She said and the bald man was up with his coins in seconds.
"Going to make it difficult to win back my pot," Varric complained.
"Varric, I think you will do best at the Wheelhouse lookout," Michela said and picked up the cards.
"Wait what? I thought…" Varric started to protest.
"You thought you were going to get drunk and party? Think again. Time to say goodnight Rawlins, go to sleep, you've been awake for 32 hours." Michela warned as she handed the cards over in a neat stack.
"Oh alright my lady, I'm almost done with the new fitting for the sails, just get me a whale and we will have those curtains taken down," Rawlins said and collected his coin.
"You want me to be your lookout. Tonight? Where are we going?" Varric asked.
"We need to leave the shore overnight, patrols come over the hills and until I finish my ships makeover it's best not to be seen at all. Now come on, it's going to be just you and me for a bit." Michela said cheerfully while Varric pulled himself together and followed her out into the hall.
"Alone?" Varric asked
"Is that a problem?" Michela asked.
"Well… no, unless You're going to try and make out with me." Varric blurted out, but the entire room gasped. Michela's face was stoic and unreadable as she stared at him down.
"You know what, Hesiod. I think I need you on my lookout tonight. Varric is going to do something else." Michela said as a small little smirk tugged at her lips.
Rubeus and Cassandra had been circling the ship for nearly two hours before they found Varric. On deck, by the mainmast, he was part of a four-man team lowering the sails. The ship was moving slow on the water and drifting out of view of the main shores.
"Alright, men! Looking good! Get it all nicely folded. YO! Scribbles. You need to pull it tighter." The head sailor shouted at Varric.
"I'm pulling it as tight as I can!" Varric shouted in frustration. He was covered in sweat, and his palms were on fire from the rope burn.
"Just get down from there and I'll finish it, go report to the Captain that we are secured." The sailor said and climbed up the boom as Varric jumped down.
"Varric! We've been looking for you! What happened?" Rubeus questioned.
"Hey, Ruby. Hold up. I gotta go tell icebox we're done." Varric said as Rubeus and Cassandra watched in confusion. He quickly jogged over to the wheelhouse, where Captain Michela and Hesiod were having a smoke.
"All done, out of sight and ready to turn in for the night," Varric said victoriously.
"Oh good, you can stay on watch for the first shift. Hesiod, make sure he doesn't leave his post and clean up a bit." Michela ordered and flicked her butt over the side of the ship and walked past Varric without a glance.
"Whoa whoa, night watch? What the hell am I watching for?" Varric asked. "Hey, you listen here don't walk away. I think we should talk." Varric said and approached Michela before she reached the door which led below.
"About what? Varric." Michela asked and opened the door and disappeared behind it.
"Ugh. What the hell." Varric cursed under his breath and turned around to See Rubeus and Cassandra standing there with Hesiod.
"I have no idea, we were pals last time I saw her," Varric said.
"She's mad you didn't tell her about Hawke," Hesiod said.
"What!? I sent her a letter." Varric said defensively, but his eyes popped out of his skull once he said it out loud. "Oh wait… I… shit." Varric cursed. "Oh no I sent it to the wrong place." Varric hobbled over to Rubeus. "I fucked up royally on this one, no wonder she is pissed."
"Varric, explain. You said Michela was friendly. So far she has not shown the inquisition any kindness." Rubeus said. He crossed his arms with frustration, "it's been one precarious interaction after the next."
"Oi, you're here though…" Hesiod said and noticed the glare from the group. "I'm just saying, if she didn't like ya, you'd be dead by now," Hesiod said and walked away to leave them to talk.
"Hawke and Michela were friends for a time, you see she had a tomb about lyrium written in ancient elvhan. Hawke wanted to bring it to me to see if it referenced red lyrium and almost died because of it. Michela saved her life, though the book ended up destroyed to do so." Varric explained. Rubeus recoiled in pain thinking about the lost history.
"That doesn't explain why she is acting so erratically. I heard the rumours about how you two were a couple." Cassandra poked.
"I was told your name was in the same little black book as her ex-fiancé," Rubeus added.
"See, that makes no sense to me. We barely worked together and the most time I have spent around her was a wicked grace game back in Kirkwall. I signed her book and she left to deliver my novels across Thedas. I paid for her well too!" Varric sighed. "Honestly whatever her problem is, it's unfounded. I didn't do anything."
"Well, you weren't asked for a letter of apology… but she is upset about something," Rubeus was not convinced.
Suddenly the door opened, and Michela popped her head out.
"You know I can hear you." She said as the group froze.
"You wanna know why I am so angry. Hm?" Michela asked and threw a book at Varric. "You signed my name wrong." Michela huffed and closed the door once again. Varric fumbled to catch the copy of Hard in Hightown Michela had presented. The door was already closed, but he quickly opened it up to his signature.
"You signed the book Micheal?" Cassandra asked peering over his shoulder.
"Oh come on, No way. Michela!" Varric knocked on the door. "You can't be serious."
Rubeus started shaking with stifled laughter.
"I AM A HUNDRED PERCENT SERIOUS!" Michela yelled from the other side of the door.
"Michela!" Varric sighed. "What is she on her period or something," Varric mumbled and Cassandra gasped.
"Varric! Apologize!" Cassandra ordered.
"What!" Varric shouted again as the inquisitor tried his hardest not to laugh.
"I heard you loud and clear, and I cannot believe the disrespect I just heard come out of your mouth. You have said some nasty lies to me, but perhaps the Captain is correct in disliking you." Cassandra agreed. The door opened again, and Michela peeked out to look at Cassandra.
"Oh, he's lied to you too?" She asked.
"Plenty," Cassandra said.
"I got a bottle of wine and some chocolates you wanna come in?" Michela asked Cassandra.
"Gladly." Cassandra agreed and Michela let her into the room and closed the door to the rest of them. With Cassandra and Michela have gone Rubeus broke down in laughter.
"I thought you had gotten half her crew killed or something." He was laughing so hard tears were forming.
"Oh haha very funny. A murderous Tevinter assassin is angry over an autograph." Varric said bluntly. Though he couldn't help but crack a small smirk once he said it out loud.
Rubeus laughter subsided.
"I admit it's not that funny, but it's been a long, difficult day and what can be done about it?" He said, wiping a tear from his eye. He straightened himself up and regained his composure. "I need a damn drink."
"I do too," Varric said.
"You're still on duty," Hesiod said, he was eavesdropping from around the corner.
"Ugh. Fine! I'll go on night watch. Enjoy your drink." Varric said and shuffled off to the lookout near the wheelhouse.
Rubeus wandered around until he retired to the navigators quarters. There were two beds, both suspended on chains that rocked with the wake of the ocean. Blankets, quilts and furs were plenty available. A small window opened up to a balcony at the rear of the ship overlooking the vast empty water. Rubeus's sword and armour had also found their way into the room presented on a wooden mannequin. He was not sure when that had happened but, he was thankful he had them. The moon was the only source of light that illuminated a figure on the opposite bed. At first, Rubeus thought it to be Dorian, but the horns and red hair caught his attention before he woke him. It was Fritigern, sound asleep on his back with a dagger rested on his belly, both hands firmly on the grip. Still restless, Rubeus paced around the room. Things that Michela had said earlier weighed on his mind. He wanted to speak with Dorian about it all. Once Rubeus realized the arc of the moon in the sky, and the weight on his eyes he laid down on the bed to relax and think. One thought turned into ten and then doubled over and over until he smothered his face in the pillow. There was something hard under the pillow and he fished it out and squinted in the dark to look at it. Having to shuffle over to the moonlight and hold it up.
Wrapped on a leather cord was a small charm made of pure amethyst. In the core of the stone was a rune that started to glow. He pulled it bad into the darkness and the small glyph dimmed away. Realizing it needed to be powered by the moon he held it out once again. Studying the rune as it began to glow once again. It was elvhan, but he recognized it. Quickly he pulled out his journal from his satchel and wrote down what was flat on the paper. He referenced a few earlier pages which had scrawled images from the temples he had visited and he pieced it together.
Once he laid down to sleep, the soft glow of the light calmed him. His mind at ease as his thoughts cleared.